Crystal and molecular structure of cinnamylidene-butenolides fromPiper sanctum

An x-ray analysis of two natural compounds isolated fromPiper sanctum confirmed thetrans configuration for 5-(8-methoxy)cinnamyliden-4-methoxy-but-3-enolide [piperolide (I)] and for 5-[trans-(z)-,-epoxy--methoxycinnamyliden]-4-methoxy-2(5H)-furanon [epoxypiperolide (II)]. The space groups arePbca [a = 44.174(3),b = 8.056(3),c = 7.515(4) Å] for (I) andP2₁/c [a = 11.351(4),b = 8.292(5),c = 14.292(2) Å, = 96.28(2) °] for (II). The structures were solved by direct methods and refined by least-squares techniques toR = 4.8% (I) andR = 7.5% (II). The stereochemistry of the semicyclic double bond is in favor of theZ-isomers.     

Lead dioxide-coated carbon paste electrodes

Lead dioxide electrodeposited under optimized conditions on carbon paste provides an electroanalytically useful electrode, with an anodic working range extending to 1.9 V. Voltammograms for sulphite are used to study electrode lifetime and reproducibility; calibration graphs are linear up to 10^-3M sulphite in 0.5 M sulphuric acid.     

Band crossing and the prealignment B(E2) anomaly in 126Ba

A theoretical interpretation of the reduction in E2 strengths in ¹²⁶Ba prior to backbending is presented. A shell model basis is built from normal parity orbilals organized into multiplets of a pseudo SU(3) symmetry coupled to $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ configurations restricted to states of seniority zero and two. Within the framework of the model the scattering of a pair of protons from normal parity to the $\text{h}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ orbital produces band crossing and a corresponding reduction in E2 transition strengths prior to pair alignment which is the principal mechanism of the backbending.     

Intrinsic surface binding energy shifts in Yb metal

We report on the four-peak structure observed in the region of 4f photoemission in Yb metal, using synchrotron radiation in the energy range 70–200 eV. We conclude, contrary to previous reports, that the doublet associated with surface emissions results from an intrinsic surface shift on clean regions of the surface. We also demonstrate that the observed structure is consistent with earlier XPS measurements, and we set an upper limit on the width of the bulk peaks.